Trial of suspected al-Qaeda operatives to resume on jan.24

The appeal court of Casablanca decided on Friday to resume on Jan.24 the trial of a group of persons accused of belonging to a dormant cell of Al-Qaeda group.

During Friday’s hearing, the defense attorneys complained about flaws in the arrest procedure, the preliminary investigation, the minutes writing and the preventive detention period. They also said the suspects were not arrested red-handed and there is no material evidence in the case. Witnesses will be giving their accounts on January 31.

The defendants, three Saudis and seven Moroccans, were arrested last June and accused of preparing terrorist acts in Morocco and against western ships crossing the Gibraltar strait.

After several postponements, the court started last December 26 its hearings of the case.